Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vora Zorell (Scientist) in Side Sim- Mining Colony of Feru III- The New Dawn Festival

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Side Sim- Mining Colony of Feru III- The New Dawn Festival

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Side Sim- Mining Colony of Feru III- The New Dawn Festival
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“I see,” Vora whispered. It was like she was being let in on a secret (which practically she was), but this was about Jasper, not Avik. Later though, she’s have to do some deep thinking because though her expression didn’t show it, patterns of behaviour in their interactions were starting to make sense. Nodding to Cassandra, she looked again at Jasper. “Grief is a very tricky thing. Some days that person is far from your surface thoughts, and other times we can’t think about anything else. There is no one way to grieve, and for some people talking about that person they no longer have in their life helps keep them alive, keeps them closer to the surface but without so much of the pain. Those that knew your grandmother might be in different places, but I hope people can share some of their positive memories of your grandmother so that through them you can understand who she was.” She was moved rather deeply by the discussion but she hoped that in of itself wouldn’t cause issues.

~Vora Zorell

Jasper appeared to weigh Vora’s words as his eyes lingered. Based on what he had witnessed with his father, Aunt, and other family members, it all made some strange sense to him. As if overhearing the conversation, Kekec had arrived to check on his offspring and spoke abruptly from behind him.

“My mother was a warm and patient individual. I see a lot of her within my children, even I don’t point it out often enough.” His eyes drifted from Vora to Jasper and finally rested on his mate.

Vora gazed up at Kekec and smiled.

“I hope everyone is finding the tour interesting and educational?”

Cassandra nodded. “Yes, though I do believe it’s drawing to its end. I don’t think we even have an idea of what to do next.”

“No point in rushing things until it becomes important.”

“Well, I’m all for exploring further,” Zorell said as she stood back up, gave Jasper a wink and moved forward, eager to see what else the geological formations might have to share with her.

Deeper the group went as jagged, purple gems began to climb about the cavern’s surfaces. In Avik’s opinion, it looked so chaotic compared to anything she was more familiar with. It was stated clearly they could touch, but not take a piece of the landscape. On a few occasions, it was clear Jasper struggled to follow this rule several times. Thankfully a simple look brought him back from making a regretful decision. When they finally exited the cavern’s last tunnel, Avik’s hand rose up and shielded her eyes from the strong light invading her vision. It was a strong contrast compared to the cavern’s dimmer interior.

She suggested resting beneath the shade of a nearby tree while they decided on their next activity. Not wanting to ruin the fun, Avik distanced herself from the conversation and leaned against the smooth bark. It seemed they would be there for a bit until the plans were finalized.

-Avik, XO

Vora was still mulling over both the loveliness of the cavern and the revelations that had been made within. Things were awkward between her and the XO and yet, she truly felt like she understood Avik a little. And so after a minute of chatting with the others, she excused herself and joined Avik at the tree, settling her tall body onto the ground, maroon eyes taking in their surroundings while she spoke. “You know, sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had had my mother throughout, or for even a few years longer. But, I didn’t, and when she died suddenly when I was five, the trajectory of my life sent my down a path I’ve not always been able to reconcile. Do I champion the hard work I put in to turn my life around, to face my addiction and stay clean? I’ve been working through some very deep trauma, and some days I wish my mother were here to see me be at peace, successful in all the areas of my life that are actually important. I miss her. Just I can imagine you must miss your own mother. I don’t know what it’s like to watch a parent slowly slip away from you so harshly, but I can empathize with the absence of that person in my life.” She didn’t look at Avik, keeping her tone conversational but soft as to not be overheard by the others.

~Vora Zorell, Sciences

From Vora’s words, it was clear to Avik the woman had discovered her mother’s fate. A moment of silence settled in her thoughts while the Vulcan woman untangled her emotions and weighed her words. At this point, she didn’t want to ruin an otherwise pleasant day for them. Yet, the topic couldn’t be left untouched and it might enlighten Vora to why she struggled to connect some times.

With a deep breath, Avik braced herself for what might come from this conversation. Good or bad.

“Trauma is a strange thing. Logically it shouldn’t hold power over an individual, but it can be the most painful experience and hardest to control.” She began, reflecting on the last series of events spent with her mother.

“Hearing you approach the topic, it sounds like you might’ve learned of what happened to my mother?”

Avik digested the answer then considered her next words.

“The day my mother revealed her disease, we discovered I had more than touch telepathy. It was not the best way to learn I could sense thoughts and emotions of anyone near me, especially when I had little control with my own emotions.” With Avik’s touch on the subject, she had showed Vora the topic was open for discussion and questions were welcomed. Still, she decided to make it absolutely clear.

“Despite the pain and trauma, I will talk about it if approached. In this case, I believe my upbringing didn’t help as Vulcans are encouraged to seek out information and form their own logical thoughts. Not all species work the same way.”

She noticed her brother’s glance as he gently shepherded his family a bit farther away, giving them more privacy.

-Avik, XO